health and safety adviser

The work

Health and safety advisers are responsible for maintaining and improving health and safety in the workplace. They make sure that organisations have an effective health and safety policy, and that companies and workers follow health and safety laws and guidelines.

Depending on the type of organisation they work for, they may advise on fire regulations, noise, safe use of machinery, hazardous substances, occupational health and environmental issues. Their duties include:

• developing and monitoring an organisation's health and safety policies and procedures
• carrying out regular inspections and risk assessments
• maintaining accident records
• advising on protective clothing and equipment
• arranging in-house and outside training for employees on safety issues
• investigating accidents and advising on any improvements in safety standards that need to be made
• writing reports
• liaising with other professionals and agencies such as the Health and Safety Executive
• keeping up-to-date with changes in the law.

Health and safety advisers may be known by several other job titles, including health, safety and environmental officer, health and safety practitioner or manager, or occupational health and safety officer.

In some companies, responsibility for health and safety may be part of another job role such as personnel, facilities management or similar.

Hours and Environment

Health and safety advisers usually work 37 hours a week but may be on standby duty in case of emergencies or accidents. They may need to work shifts and unsociable hours.

They are usually office-based, but may travel around to visit sites. Health and safety advisers may need to work outside in all weather conditions in some industries, such as building sites, offshore installations, transport or processing plants. They may also sometimes need to work at heights or in cramped positions. They wear protective clothing when necessary.

Skills and Interests

To be a health and safety adviser you should:

• have good spoken and written communication skills
• have good negotiating skills, tact and diplomacy
• be assertive, to persuade people to follow rules and change their working practices 
• have a good level of physical fitness and stamina
• have a logical approach and be able to solve problems 
• be well-organised and pay attention to detail
• be able to cope under pressure
• be able to understand and interpret relevant laws
• have good written communication skills, for report writing
• be computer literate.

Entry

To be a full-time health and safety adviser you will usually need to hold an industry-recognised qualification, accredited by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Accredited courses include:

• degrees, diplomas and postgraduate courses in occupational health and safety, from several universities in the UK
• National Examinations Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) Level 6 National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
• British Safety Council (BSC) Awards Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health
• NVQ/SVQ Levels 4 and 5 in Occupational Health and Safety Practice.

You can find a full list of accredited courses on the IOSH website - see Further Information for contact details.

To enter a degree course you will normally need at least five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) plus two A levels/three Highers or equivalent qualifications. An Access to Higher Education qualification may be accepted for entry to certain courses. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

To enter the NEBOSH or BSC Diploma courses or the NVQ/SVQ Level 4, you will usually need a relevant Level 3 qualification, such as:

• NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Occupational Health and Safety
• NEBOSH Level 3 National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
• BSC Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health.

Level 3 qualifications are a suitable starting point if you are starting out in health and safety, or if health and safety is a small part of your job. You can then progress to the higher levels of qualification as you gain more experience and responsibility. You can usually study part-time at local colleges or private training providers, or by distance learning.

Many people become health and safety advisers after gaining experience in related areas such as technical, scientific or risk assessment work.

Training

You will usually learn on the job and also attend short training courses run by in-company training departments, local colleges or health and safety consultants.

If you have an accredited qualification in occupational health and safety (see Entry), you can join IOSH as a Graduate member. To become a Chartered Member of IOSH, Graduate members must take part in the two-year Initial Professional Development (IPD) scheme, which involves demonstrating your skills in practice. See the IOSH website for more information.

NEBOSH awards the Specialist Diploma in Environmental Management, for health and safety advisers to increase knowledge and understanding of environmental issues at work.

You should keep up to date with developments and legislation throughout your career. IOSH offers a programme short courses for continuing professional development (CPD).

If you have some responsibility for health and safety as part of your job (for example, if you are a manager, supervisor or site agent), you can take the shorter NEBOSH General Certificate or Certificate in Construction Safety.

Opportunities

Full-time health and safety advisers work mainly in industrial, manufacturing or processing companies. They are also employed in other industries such as hotel and catering, and public services like hospitals and government departments.

There is scope to move to management positions, although advisers may need to move to a larger company or specialise in a certain aspect of the work to achieve promotion. There are some opportunities to work overseas.

Health and safety advisers could also become self-employed, by working freelance or setting up their own consultancy business.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Full-time health and safety advisers may start on around £20,000 a year.
With more experience they usually earn £25,000 to £35,000 a year.

Health and safety advisers with specialist knowledge and skills may earn much more.

Further information

Dominus Way
Meridian Business Park
Leicester
LE19 1QW
Tel: 0116 263 4700
The Grange
Highfield Drive
Wigston
Leicestershire
LE18 1NN
Tel: 0116 257 3100
National Safety Centre
70 Chancellors Road
London
W6 9RS
Tel: 020 8741 1231

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